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Wally

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SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« on: February 12, 2016, 02:32:43 PM »
Lesson 8 *February 13-19



Comrades in Arms




Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Luke 5:6-8, 11; Mark 3:14; Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; 9:33-37; Matt. 20:20-28.

Memory Text: "And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'"(Luke 24:32, NKJV).

From the earliest days of His ministry, Jesus didn't work alone. He chose humans to take part in preaching, teaching, and ministering. And though the four Gospels focus primarily on His life, death, and resurrection, they often do so in the context of His disciples, those closest to Him.

Thus, as the great controversy raged around Him, we can see it rage around the disciples, as well. Until the bitter end, when Jesus cried, "It is finished," Satan found it impossible to make Jesus stumble and fall. Christ's followers, however, were much easier prey. Their character flaws gave him inroads into them that the enemy readily exploited.

Pride, doubt, stubbornness, self-importance, pettiness-whatever the flaws, these opened the way for Satan. Half their problem was that they, having their own views of what they thought would and should happen, didn't listen to what Jesus said would happen.

They had a lot of hard lessons to learn. So, no doubt, do we.

Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 20.

Sunday February 14

The Call of Peter

When one considers the incredible issue at stake in the great controversy, it's amazing that Jesus would use human beings to aid Him in ministry, especially those as flawed as the ones He chose. Of course, if we consider the state of fallen humanity, no one He chose would have been without moral defects, anyway.

Walking along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, followed by a crowd of people, Jesus noticed two fishing boats whose owners were cleaning up after an unproductive night. These fishermen were already aware of Jesus. He had taught in their synagogue, where He astonished everyone with His words (Luke 4:31-32). Jesus had even cast out a demon from a man in their synagogue, and everyone was amazed (Luke 4:33-36). They had seen Jesus at Peter's house healing Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39), and later that evening, healing many others (Luke 4:40-41).

It is no wonder that a crowd was following Jesus along the beach. Jesus stepped into Peter's boat, asked Peter to push it out a little from the shore so that all could see Him, and then spoke to the people (Luke 5:3). When finished, He told Peter to throw his freshly cleaned net into the deep water. Peter surely thought that wouldn't achieve anything, but out of respect for Jesus, he did as He said.

Read Luke 5:6-8. What does Peter's reaction teach us about him and help us to understand why, despite Peter's obvious faults, Jesus chose him?

Peter's reaction is remarkable. Maybe it is parallel to Jacob wrestling with the angel-the same realization of Divine Presence, and an overwhelming sense of unworthiness (Gen. 32:24-30). One thing is clear. Peter became aware of his sinfulness because he knew that the Lord was there. His open confession of his sinfulness stands in stark contrast, for instance, to the reaction of some of the religious leaders, who referred to Jesus Himself as a sinner (see John 9:24) instead of acknowledging, even when in His presence, their own sinfulness.

Luke 5:11 says that they "forsook all" and followed Him, which meant that, when their nets were so full they were about to break, the men left it all to follow Jesus. What message is there for us here?

Monday February 15

"With Him"

When Jesus called the first disciples on the shores of Galilee, they had already witnessed His power over evil. They had seen Him challenge demons (Luke 4:34-36), heal the sick (Luke 4:38-41), rule over nature (Luke 5:4-6), reveal sin and then reassure Peter there was no need to fear (Luke 5:10).

Some time later, after praying all night (Luke 6:12), Jesus assembled His followers (disciples), and from that larger group chose twelve, calling them apostles (Luke 6:13; the Greek word apostolos means "to send out"). Before Jesus sent them out, He spent some time with them giving them instructions (Luke 9:1-5) that were similar to the details He gave to a larger group of 70 some time later (Luke 10:1-16).

Read Mark 3:14. What did Jesus want the apostles to do before sending them out on their own? What important message is in here for all of us?

How many times are modern disciples more eager to race off and work for Jesus rather than spend time with Him? The simple reality is that when we go out to fulfill the gospel commission, racing off with our own to-do list, we bypass the Savior of the world and try to replace Him with ourselves. It is too easy to have a "Messiah complex," thinking it is up to us to save the world, forgetting that Jesus alone is Savior.

One would not be too hard-pressed to say that so much of Christian history has been soiled by those who, professing the name of Jesus, had not spent time with Him, had not known Him, and had not been changed by Him. The last thing our world or the church needs are those running around in the name of Christ who have not been "with Him." One of Satan's greatest ploys in the great controversy has been his ability to co-opt those who claim the name of Christ and to use them to defile that name. Hence, before sending them off, Jesus wanted these men to be with Him in order, no doubt, to learn from Him.

What does it mean to us, today, without the physical, fleshly presence of Jesus, to be "with Him?" What are the practical real-time ways in which we today can have that time with Him?
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Wally

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2016, 02:33:58 PM »
Tuesday February 16

Jesus' Dominion Over Nature

Read Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25. How do we see the reality of the great controversy revealed in these texts?

Though we don't fully understand the degree in which Satan impacts the natural world, Scripture does reveal that his influence is there, such as seen in the story of Job (see Job 1:18-19). Ellen G. White also tells us that, "Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as possible."-In Heavenly Places, p. 348, another indication of his power in this area. Surely, amid the seeming ceaseless natural disasters that strike the world, we are seeing the reality of the great controversy play out here on earth.

In this particular story, after a long day of teaching, when evening approached, Jesus suggested that He and the apostles go to the less inhabited opposite shore. Partway into their journey a fierce windstorm struck them suddenly, and waves crashed into the boat (Mark 4:37). Jesus was so exhausted He lay sleeping in the stern, seemingly oblivious. With the disciples so occupied in battling the storm, maybe it was some time before they realized that Jesus was asleep.

Jesus doesn't say anything when they first cry out to Him. He does not give any sermon to explain the predicament that they are in or suggest ways that the disciples can act to be victorious in the situation. He just stands up, raises His hand, and tells the wind and waves to settle down and be quiet, as if they are merely rowdy children.

At this the disciples are just overwhelmed with awe. They "feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" (Mark 4:41, NKJV).

Though the lessons are many here, with this story we can see the extent of Jesus' power and, thus, our need to trust Him, no matter what.

Though we can see the reality of the Lord's power, even over nature, the one place where He will not force that power is on our own will. What should this tell us about how careful we need to be with the sacred gift of free choice, and how should the reality of the great controversy make us even more careful in how we use that gift?

Wednesday February 17

Who Is the Greatest?

Read Mark 9:33-37. What lesson did Jesus teach the disciples here, and what is the message here for anyone who claims to follow Jesus? See also Matt. 18:3-5.

This debate among the disciples was no doubt related to their views of the future. They thought that Jesus was going to deliver Israel from the Romans, restore the kingdom of David, and reign as its new king in all the glory that the nation experienced under King Solomon. When that would happen, they no doubt assumed that, as part of Christ's inner circle, they'd have prominent and important roles to play in the newly restored kingdom. But even that wasn't enough: they wanted to know who among them would be the "greatest" in the kingdom. If that doesn't sound like the promptings of Lucifer, what does? (See Isa. 14:14.)

Read Matthew 20:20-28. How did Jesus answer this request? What was His main point?

Perhaps the most disappointing thing about this pathetic incident is its context. They were on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus was about to be crucified. He had just explained to them that He was going to be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, and crucified, and then rise again the third day (Matt. 20:18-19). As soon as He finished saying all this, the question of who was greatest came up again. They did not even hear what Jesus said. It was obvious that they were not listening. Interested in their own small-minded ambitions, they missed the large issues at stake, focusing on false concepts of an earthly kingdom that would never come and missing out on what Jesus was telling them about the eternal one that He was offering them through His own upcoming death.

It's easy to think about how shortsighted and petty the disciples were. Look at yourself and ask: "What shortsightedness and pettiness do I need purged from my own soul?"
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Wally

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2016, 02:34:53 PM »
Thursday February 18

Divine Encounter With the Word

It was the third day after Jesus' death. His followers were still numb with shock. They thought He would crush the Romans, but the Romans had, it seemed, crushed Him instead.

Many disciples met together with the apostles after the crucifixion. A group of women from their midst visited the tomb early Sunday morning. Luke names three of them, but there were others who had come with Jesus from Galilee (Luke 23:55; 24:1, 10). They returned from the empty tomb to tell the "eleven and . . . all the rest" of two men in shining clothes they had seen there (Luke 24:9, NKJV).

Luke records that on that Sunday afternoon two of Jesus' followers walked the two to three hour journey from Jerusalem, back to their home in Emmaus (Luke 24:13). It is likely that they were so engrossed in their discussion of what had happened over the weekend that they did not notice a stranger walking nearby. Maybe they would never have noticed Him if He had not entered their conversation by asking why they were so sad (Luke 24:17).

This question really fired up the one called Cleopas. He wondered how the Stranger could be so ignorant of all the things that had happened. "'What things?'" the Stranger asked (Luke 24:19).

Read Luke 24:19-35. What did these people say that revealed their lack of understanding, and how did Jesus explain to them the truth?

Notice that Jesus' whole emphasis was on the Scriptures. Just as He resorted to Scripture in His battle with Satan in the wilderness, He goes to the Scriptures here in order to push back the darkness that these two were in. Only after He grounded them in the biblical teachings about Himself and His mission did Jesus then give them some powerful experiences to help buttress those biblical teachings: first, He revealed Himself to them, showing that He indeed had been raised from the dead; second, "He vanished from their sight" (Luke 24:31, NKJV). Between the no doubt perfectly clear Bible study on the atoning death of Jesus, followed by these powerful experiences, these two had plenty of reasons for faith.

Here, again, as all through the Gospels, we see Jesus keeping the Bible front and center. How, then, can we guard ourselves against any type of thinking that would cause us to question the authority of Scripture?

Friday February 19

Further Thought: When here in the flesh, Jesus cast out demons (Luke 6:18), gave hope to the hopeless (Luke 6:20-23), showed people how to live out God&rsqup;s agape love (Luke 6: 27-49), healed the centurion's servant (Luke 7:2-10), raised a widow's dead son (Luke 7:12-16), stilled a storm (Luke 8:22-25), freed the demoniac at Gadara of his demons (Luke 8:26-39), healed a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years (Luke 8:43-48), raised Jairus's dead daughter (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56), and even raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been dead for four days (John 11:39-44). All that He did, and so much more, and yet people still struggled to believe in Him. "Even Christ's own disciples were slow to learn and to understand. Notwithstanding their love for Him and their reverence of His character, their faith in His being the Son of God wavered. Their frequent reference to the traditions of the fathers, and their continual misunderstanding of His discourses, show how difficult it was for them to free themselves from superstition."-Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 116. Faith is a gift from God, but it is a gift that people can resist. And that's because, as we have been warned, Satan is real, the great controversy is real, and the enemy works hard to cause us to doubt and disbelieve. Salvation is found through faith in what Christ has done for us; Satan knows that and thus will do everything he can to turn us away from that faith. Fortunately, and we must always remember this-Jesus is infinitely more powerful than the devil, and if we cling to Jesus, Satan cannot defeat us.

Discussion Questions:

    What answer would you give to someone who asked, "If Jesus has so much power over nature, why do so many people, even Christians, fall victim to natural disasters?" How does the reality of the great controversy fit into the answer?

    What are some of the reasons we have for faith in Jesus and what the Bible says about Him? Why is it important to keep these reasons always before us? Also, despite the many good reasons we have, why do so many people struggle with faith? What are the things that cause us to doubt, and what is the best way to deal with them?

    As we saw this week, Jesus chose some flawed people to work with Him. What hope does that give you in regard to how Jesus can use you, despite your own weaknesses?

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2016, 07:55:41 AM »
Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Luke 5:6-8, 11; Mark 3:14; Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; 9:33-37; Matt. 20:20-28.

Memory Text: "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?" Luke 24:32

From the earliest days of His ministry, Jesus didn't work alone. He chose humans to take part in preaching, teaching, and ministering. And though the four Gospels focus primarily on His life, death, and resurrection, they often do so in the context of His disciples, those closest to Him.

Thus, as the great controversy raged around Him, we can see it rage around the disciples, as well. Until the bitter end, when Jesus cried, "It is finished," Satan found it impossible to make Jesus stumble and fall. Christ's followers, however, were much easier prey. Their character flaws gave him inroads into them that the enemy readily exploited.

Pride, doubt, stubbornness, self-importance, pettiness-whatever the flaws, these opened the way for Satan. Half their problem was that they, having their own views of what they thought would and should happen, didn't listen to what Jesus said would happen.

They had a lot of hard lessons to learn. So, no doubt, do we.

Yes, they had a lot of lessons to learn, but there were two lessons that dwarfed all others. It was not that they had fallen flesh that was the problem, it was their hearts that let them down. They did not know the Lamb had to die. Peter's example of walking on water illustrates the two lessons they all needed to learn.  Peter thought he could walk on water alone. The disciples did not know Jesus as Savior, but only as Messiah.

For much of the 3 1/2 years of Christ's formal ministry, the disciples were in a similar condition to Nicodemus at his first meeting with Jesus. What were the three lessons that were absolutely necessary for them to learn before they could be successful evangelists?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2016, 07:21:23 AM »
Sunday February 14

The Call of Peter

When one considers the incredible issue at stake in the great controversy, it's amazing that Jesus would use human beings to aid Him in ministry, especially those as flawed as the ones He chose. Of course, if we consider the state of fallen humanity, no one He chose would have been without moral defects, anyway.

What if had chosen Enoch, or Elijah, just before he was taken into the fiery chariot? Or Moses just before his death? Or Daniel? Did these men retain their moral defects of character? No, they were hidden in Christ. Jesus did not choose the one who refused to allow Christ to cleanse him of his defects in moral character.

Walking along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, followed by a crowd of people, Jesus noticed two fishing boats whose owners were cleaning up after an unproductive night. These fishermen were already aware of Jesus. He had taught in their synagogue, where He astonished everyone with His words (Luke 4:31-32). Jesus had even cast out a demon from a man in their synagogue, and everyone was amazed (Luke 4:33-36). They had seen Jesus at Peter's house healing Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39), and later that evening, healing many others (Luke 4:40-41).

It is no wonder that a crowd was following Jesus along the beach. Jesus stepped into Peter's boat, asked Peter to push it out a little from the shore so that all could see Him, and then spoke to the people (Luke 5:3). When finished, He told Peter to throw his freshly cleaned net into the deep water. Peter surely thought that wouldn't achieve anything, but out of respect for Jesus, he did as He said.

Read Luke 5:6-8.

 5:6   And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 
 5:7   And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 
 5:8   When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 


What does Peter's reaction teach us about him and help us to understand why, despite Peter's obvious faults, Jesus chose him?

Did Jesus know Peter was seeking the truth that he might walk in it? Did Jesus know the ground in which He would plant the seed of truth? Did Jesus know Peter would allow Christ to cleanse him and recreate him in His own image (2 Cor. 3:18)?


Peter's reaction is remarkable. Maybe it is parallel to Jacob wrestling with the angel-the same realization of Divine Presence, and an overwhelming sense of unworthiness (Gen. 32:24-30). One thing is clear. Peter became aware of his sinfulness because he knew that the Lord was there.

He was aware of his unworthiness because he had a standard to compare his life with and he knew his own thoughts about casting the net even though the Son of God told him to do it. How many times do we resist the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It is God that is speaking to us. Ought not we also fall on our face when we consider it is God that is speaking to us, and we also know we are unworthy of His love? What is wrong if we do not fall on our faces every day? What are we not doing and seeing?


His open confession of his sinfulness stands in stark contrast, for instance, to the reaction of some of the religious leaders, who referred to Jesus Himself as a sinner (see John 9:24) instead of acknowledging, even when in His presence, their own sinfulness.

Yes, there is a difference between humans. Some will not take time to behold Jesus so they can be changed in heart. We do not know the heart, so we do not know what will happen to the ones who today refuse Christ. They may be like the Apostle Paul who murdered Christians and later became one of the church's strongest pillars.

Jesus was not a sinner even though He came in the "likeness of sinful flesh". Why was He not a sinner? Was He just like us? No, He was not. He was God in the flesh. He had a dual nature. His fallen nature was never ever allowed the mastery. So, too, we may do as Paul learned to do: "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Cor. 9:27. This is the power of an indwelling Savior who saves us from ourselves.


Luke 5:11 says that they "forsook all" and followed Him, which meant that, when their nets were so full they were about to break, the men left it all to follow Jesus. What message is there for us here?

It appears that Christ has power to cleanse sinners from their selfishness. It appears from this that these men in fallen flesh were willing to trust Jesus with all they were and all they had. Are we of the same mind? If not, why not? If not, Jesus is standing at the door of the heart wanting in. He says "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2016, 09:54:04 AM »
Monday February 15

"With Him"

When Jesus called the first disciples on the shores of Galilee, they had already witnessed His power over evil. They had seen Him challenge demons (Luke 4:34-36), heal the sick (Luke 4:38-41), rule over nature (Luke 5:4-6), reveal sin and then reassure Peter there was no need to fear (Luke 5:10).

Some time later, after praying all night (Luke 6:12), Jesus assembled His followers (disciples), and from that larger group chose twelve, calling them apostles (Luke 6:13; the Greek word apostolos means "to send out"). Before Jesus sent them out, He spent some time with them giving them instructions (Luke 9:1-5) that were similar to the details He gave to a larger group of 70 some time later (Luke 10:1-16).

Read Mark 3:14.

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 


What did Jesus want the apostles to do before sending them out on their own? What important message is in here for all of us?

How can one give to others what they do not have? What is the most important thing we must have if we want to help others become Christians? Why did the priests have to wash in the laver before they began ministering in the sanctuary? Is there an application for us today?


How many times are modern disciples more eager to race off and work for Jesus rather than spend time with Him? The simple reality is that when we go out to fulfill the gospel commission, racing off with our own to-do list, we bypass the Savior of the world and try to replace Him with ourselves. It is too easy to have a "Messiah complex," thinking it is up to us to save the world, forgetting that Jesus alone is Savior.

One would not be too hard-pressed to say that so much of Christian history has been soiled by those who, professing the name of Jesus, had not spent time with Him, had not known Him, and had not been changed by Him. The last thing our world or the church needs are those running around in the name of Christ who have not been "with Him." One of Satan's greatest ploys in the great controversy has been his ability to co-opt those who claim the name of Christ and to use them to defile that name. Hence, before sending them off, Jesus wanted these men to be with Him in order, no doubt, to learn from Him.

Amen! Here is truth.  We must be "changed by Him" if we want to do His work. We are wholly dependent upon His Spirit in order to rightly represent Him. If we are not filled with His Spirit, then we are just what the author said, doing the work of those who have gone before us not having a living experience in Christ, defiling the name of Christ. Another name for this group is Laodicean.

What does it mean to us, today, without the physical, fleshly presence of Jesus, to be "with Him?" What are the practical real-time ways in which we today can have that time with Him?

"With Him" is an interesting phrase often misused to indicate one doing the work of Satan has Christ "with him". A better choice of words is to have Christ in us, not with us.  If we are not in Christ and He in us, then unless we have passed the point of no return, Jesus is standing at the door of the heart. He does not forsake us, even if we have not given Him our hearts. In this sense Christ is still with the unrepentant sinner. But, this is not the same as being converted and having eternal life.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2016, 10:14:53 AM »
Tuesday February 16

Jesus' Dominion Over Nature

Read

Matthew 8:23-27
 8:23   And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 
 8:24   And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 
 8:25   And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 
 8:26   And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 
 8:27   But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! 

Mark 4:35-41
 4:35   And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 
 4:36   And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 
 4:37   And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 
 4:38   And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 
 4:39   And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 
 4:40   And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 
 4:41   And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? 

Luke 8:22-25.
 8:22   Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 
 8:23   But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy. 
 8:24   And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 
 8:25   And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. 


Christ was in the boat with the disciples, why would they fear? Did they believe Him to be God? They were filled with "unbelief". There is no greater sin than unbelief.

How do we see the reality of the great controversy revealed in these texts?

Though we don't fully understand the degree in which Satan impacts the natural world, Scripture does reveal that his influence is there, such as seen in the story of Job (see Job 1:18-19). Ellen G. White also tells us that, "Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as possible."-In Heavenly Places, p. 348, another indication of his power in this area. Surely, amid the seeming ceaseless natural disasters that strike the world, we are seeing the reality of the great controversy play out here on earth.

In this particular story, after a long day of teaching, when evening approached, Jesus suggested that He and the apostles go to the less inhabited opposite shore. Partway into their journey a fierce windstorm struck them suddenly, and waves crashed into the boat (Mark 4:37). Jesus was so exhausted He lay sleeping in the stern, seemingly oblivious. With the disciples so occupied in battling the storm, maybe it was some time before they realized that Jesus was asleep.

Jesus doesn't say anything when they first cry out to Him. He does not give any sermon to explain the predicament that they are in or suggest ways that the disciples can act to be victorious in the situation. He just stands up, raises His hand, and tells the wind and waves to settle down and be quiet, as if they are merely rowdy children.

At this the disciples are just overwhelmed with awe. They "feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Mark 4:41.

Though the lessons are many here, with this story we can see the extent of Jesus' power and, thus, our need to trust Him, no matter what.

We can know of His power, but that will not change the heart. We will not trust in Jesus until we know of His love for us personally. It is only grace that can create a new creature in Christ Jesus. It is important that we know of His power, for it gives us courage to know we can win the greatest battle we shall ever fight, the battle with self. But, again, it is through a knowledge of the character of Christ that we will be transformed in nature.


Though we can see the reality of the Lord's power, even over nature, the one place where He will not force that power is on our own will. What should this tell us about how careful we need to be with the sacred gift of free choice, and how should the reality of the great controversy make us even more careful in how we use that gift?

We have the power to choose whom we shall serve. We have the power to learn of Christ. We do not have the power to obey until given to us by Christ. We must be born again of His Spirit, then we having been cleansed of sin will reveal the character of our Lord. It is by beholding that we become changed. We must become new bottles in order to have the Spirit of God indwelling our hearts. This Christ wants to do today and every day.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2016, 07:05:39 AM »

Wednesday February 17

Who Is the Greatest?


Read Mark 9:33-37.

 9:33   And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 
 9:34   But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who [should be] the greatest. 
 9:35   And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all. 
 9:36   And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 
 9:37   Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 


What lesson did Jesus teach the disciples here, and what is the message here for anyone who claims to follow Jesus? See also Matt. 18:3-5.

 18:3   And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
 18:4   Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 
 18:5   And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 

This debate among the disciples was no doubt related to their views of the future.

The discussion may have been about the future, but there is an important lesson here for us today. Jesus pointed to the real problem and we need to see it. They all were selfish. Too many today assume this is naturally the condition of Christians after conversion, it is not. We need to identify the state of these men and why it was they were still revealing selfishness this late in the ministry of Christ. Had they not been converted? Many in the church do not think so. But, they had been prior to their ordination, except for Judas. Then, why the problem that caused Jesus to say "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"?

They thought that Jesus was going to deliver Israel from the Romans, restore the kingdom of David, and reign as its new king in all the glory that the nation experienced under King Solomon. When that would happen, they no doubt assumed that, as part of Christ's inner circle, they'd have prominent and important roles to play in the newly restored kingdom. But even that wasn't enough: they wanted to know who among them would be the "greatest" in the kingdom. If that doesn't sound like the promptings of Lucifer, what does? (See Isa. 14:14.)

Read Matthew 20:20-28.

 20:20   Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. 
 20:21   And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 
 20:22   But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 
 20:23   And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father. 
 20:24   And when the ten heard [it], they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 
 20:25   But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 
 20:26   But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 
 20:27   And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 
 20:28   Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.


How did Jesus answer this request? What was His main point?

Perhaps the most disappointing thing about this pathetic incident is its context. They were on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus was about to be crucified. He had just explained to them that He was going to be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, and crucified, and then rise again the third day (Matt. 20:18-19).

20:18   Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 
 20:19   And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again. 


As soon as He finished saying all this, the question of who was greatest came up again. They did not even hear what Jesus said. It was obvious that they were not listening. Interested in their own small-minded ambitions, they missed the large issues at stake, focusing on false concepts of an earthly kingdom that would never come and missing out on what Jesus was telling them about the eternal one that He was offering them through His own upcoming death.

It's easy to think about how shortsighted and petty the disciples were. Look at yourself and ask: "What shortsightedness and pettiness do I need purged from my own soul?"

This is the wrong question to be asking after such a lesson. Jesus told them they needed to be converted. It is not a matter of purging out a shortsightedness. We must be born again of His Spirit. How serious was this situation we are reading about? Was this not after 3 1/2 years of teaching by the greatest Teacher the disciples could have had? And, they still did not know the Lamb had to die? What is going on? Why the problem. Jesus is about to die and they do not want Him to become the Sacrifice for them or the world? How could this be?

How is it today? The same situation still exists, to the same degree. That is why Jesus said to His end time church, "repent". Where did He say this to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the last of the seven churches in Revelation?


Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2016, 07:40:58 AM »
Thursday February 18

Divine Encounter With the Word


It was the third day after Jesus' death. His followers were still numb with shock. They thought He would crush the Romans, but the Romans had, it seemed, crushed Him instead.

Still, they did not know the Lamb had to die? Then, why all the temple services where the lambs were being killed? What was that all about? Were the priests stupid? Did they not know the sacrifices being made represented the death of Christ for our sins? If they did not know Jesus was their Savior, then who could save them from sin? Who could cleanse the heart of selfishness? Jesus was not a Savior, but a Messiah for the Jews. How is it today? What is Jesus for you? Is He a Savior to save you from yourself? Or is He something else to you?


Many disciples met together with the apostles after the crucifixion. A group of women from their midst visited the tomb early Sunday morning. Luke names three of them, but there were others who had come with Jesus from Galilee (Luke 23:55; 24:1, 10). They returned from the empty tomb to tell the "eleven and . . . all the rest" of two men in shining clothes they had seen there (Luke 24:9).

Luke records that on that Sunday afternoon two of Jesus' followers walked the two to three hour journey from Jerusalem, back to their home in Emmaus (Luke 24:13). It is likely that they were so engrossed in their discussion of what had happened over the weekend that they did not notice a stranger walking nearby. Maybe they would never have noticed Him if He had not entered their conversation by asking why they were so sad (Luke 24:17).

This question really fired up the one called Cleopas. He wondered how the Stranger could be so ignorant of all the things that had happened. "'What things?'" the Stranger asked (Luke 24:19).

Read Luke 24:19-35.

 24:19   And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 
 24:20   And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 
 24:21   But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 
 24:22   Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 
 24:23   And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 
 24:24   And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found [it] even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 
 24:25   Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 
 24:26   Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 
 24:27   And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 
 24:28   And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 
 24:29   But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 
 24:30   And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. 
 24:31   And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 
 24:32   And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 
 24:33   And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 
 24:34   Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 
 24:35   And they told what things [were done] in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 


What did these people say that revealed their lack of understanding, and how did Jesus explain to them the truth?

Notice that Jesus' whole emphasis was on the Scriptures. Just as He resorted to Scripture in His battle with Satan in the wilderness, He goes to the Scriptures here in order to push back the darkness that these two were in. Only after He grounded them in the biblical teachings about Himself and His mission did Jesus then give them some powerful experiences to help buttress those biblical teachings: first, He revealed Himself to them, showing that He indeed had been raised from the dead; second, "He vanished out of their sight" (Luke 24:31). Between the no doubt perfectly clear Bible study on the atoning death of Jesus, followed by these powerful experiences, these two had plenty of reasons for faith.

Here, again, as all through the Gospels, we see Jesus keeping the Bible front and center. How, then, can we guard ourselves against any type of thinking that would cause us to question the authority of Scripture?

Many believed in the authority of Scripture in that day. Why then were they ignorant of the truth revealed in Scripture? Many in the church today are in the same deceived condition about what Scripture means. Why? They believe in the Bible. They have their "lamps", but they have no oil in them? Why not? When Jesus told a leader of Israel that he needed to be born again of the Spirit, He was also speaking to the last church just before Jesus comes a second time. Why would the church today believe they are "rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing"? 

Hear the words of Christ to us today:

 3:16   So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 
 3:17   Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 
 3:18   I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 
 3:19   As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 
 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 
 3:21   To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 


This is an encouraging message for all who want to follow Christ. Notice that He not only speaks the same truth He did to Nicodemus, we need to be born again, but He gives the method by which we can be saved. How does this message compare to the message Christ gave to Nicodemus? Both messages were rebukes, and both messages presented the work to be done by the sinner in order to be converted. What must we do to be saved?

Yes, there is a work we must do, but do not forget about the work God will do for us. Our part is immeasurably small, His part is immeasurably large.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2016, 03:09:09 PM »
Friday February 19

Further Thought: When here in the flesh, Jesus cast out demons (Luke 6:18), gave hope to the hopeless (Luke 6:20-23), showed people how to live out God's agape love (Luke 6: 27-49), healed the centurion's servant (Luke 7:2-10), raised a widow's dead son (Luke 7:12-16), stilled a storm (Luke 8:22-25), freed the demoniac at Gadara of his demons (Luke 8:26-39), healed a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years (Luke 8:43-48), raised Jairus's dead daughter (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56), and even raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been dead for four days (John 11:39-44). All that He did, and so much more, and yet people still struggled to believe in Him. char "Even Christ's own disciples were slow to learn and to understand. Notwithstanding their love for Him and their reverence of His character, their faith in His being the Son of God wavered. Their frequent reference to the traditions of the fathers, and their continual misunderstanding of His discourses, show how difficult it was for them to free themselves from superstition."-Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 116.

While many today do not believe the disciples had been converted prior to the cross, they had been, all except Judas, do not believe they did not wander in and out of their conversion. We do not believe in once saved always saved, so it not come as a surprise that they, not knowing their continual need of Christ, would fall away from Him. Their faith was not established on the gospel truth. We see here they were having a hard time freeing themselves from "superstition" which had been taught by the leaders in their church. So it is today. "Superstitions", that are not found in Scripture and taught by modern day "priests" have led many away from the gospel truth. That is what 1888 was all about. An attempt by God to lead us to see our continual need of Jesus. We have, as a people, been led to believe we are fine just as we are. It is acceptable to sin, it is all we can hope for.


Faith is a gift from God, but it is a gift that people can resist. And that's because, as we have been warned, Satan is real, the great controversy is real, and the enemy works hard to cause us to doubt and disbelieve. Salvation is found through faith in what Christ has done for us; Satan knows that and thus will do everything he can to turn us away from that faith. Fortunately, and we must always remember this-Jesus is infinitely more powerful than the devil, and if we cling to Jesus, Satan cannot defeat us.

Amen!  Faith is believing God is who He says He is. It is believing His promises are for me personally and will accomplish what they say. For instance, believe it when He says through His servant John in 1 John:

3:1   Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 
 3:2   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 
 3:3   And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 
 3:4   Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 
 3:5   And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 
 3:6   Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 
 3:7   Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 
 3:8   He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 
 3:9   Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 
 3:10   In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 


Discussion Questions:

    What answer would you give to someone who asked, "If Jesus has so much power over nature, why do so many people, even Christians, fall victim to natural disasters?"

It is a legitimate question that many in the world ask. They do not understand how an omnipotent God can allow bad things to happen to good people and little children. Seventh-day Adventist ought to be able to answer the question. And, the lesson ought to make sure we have the answer since many do not understand. God is omnipotent and He is love. Then do bad things happen to "good" people? Is it God's fault since He has the power to stop it?


How does the reality of the great controversy fit into the answer?

What is the "great controversy"? How do bad things happening to good people fit into the great controversy between good and evil?


    What are some of the reasons we have for faith in Jesus and what the Bible says about Him? Why is it important to keep these reasons always before us? Also, despite the many good reasons we have, why do so many people struggle with faith? What are the things that cause us to doubt, and what is the best way to deal with them?

Doubt is not believing what God has said. Eve doubted God when she ate the forbidden fruit. It is "unbelief" and there is no greater sin than unbelief. What causes unbelief? Why did the disciples faith waver?  Will the last generation of Christians living when Jesus come have faith that wavers? What is the difference between them and those who faith is not unfailing? If we can answer that, then we know what we must do in order to believe God when it appears He cannot help us. The Bible says "Faith cometh by hearing."  Maybe if we spent a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, we might trust Him more. Why would that be?


    As we saw this week, Jesus chose some flawed people to work with Him. What hope does that give you in regard to how Jesus can use you, despite your own weaknesses?
 
Yes, Jesus can heal us. But, do we make excuses for our sins? Or are we trying to overcome them? Are we cooperating with Jesus that we might be faithful? Hope is in Christ. Are we going to give up because we sinned? Jesus came to heal the sick, not those who are no sick. He came to heal you and me. Do you believe He can and will heal you? Or do you question His ability to recreate you in His image? Many do not think Jesus can or will health them physically and spiritually. It is a lack of faith, a lack of knowledge of Christ and His will.

Here is a statement that few will agree with, that Jesus will give you today perfection of Christian character. He gave it to the thief on the cross. It is up to us to understand what that perfection is. How could the thief have it since he lived only a short period of time after conversion?


 Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant of man's necessity. He "took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses," that He might minister to every need of humanity. Matthew 8:17. The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character.  Ministry of Healing, pg 17. 
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2016, 06:42:32 PM »
Deceptions abound today as they did when Christ walked this Earth in his humanity. One such deception is aimed directly at the power of Christ to sanctify the convert. The teaching that the Holy Spirit brings with Him holiness is an abomination to many teachers in the church. One such as this is seen in a current Review article from which I quote.

"I recently read an argument online, based on a huddle of Ellen White quotes, which—if taken without consideration of other Ellen White quotes and Bible texts—would mean that unless we have overcome all sin, all character defects, and reflect Christ perfectly, we are lost.

In short, you have to be 'perfect' to be saved—'perfect' being defined according to the preceding paragraph: all moral defects overcome while displaying the character of Christ fully."

If we did not understand his teaching on the gospel, we might consider more how he is using his words in this statement. But, knowing he does not agree with the investigative judgment as it is given in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, we understand his objection to the need to be holy in order to enter heaven. I understand he misunderstands what perfection of character is for the convert, but that is only because he has no discernment, nor does he listen to an explanation.

I have never read or heard of a teaching that says one must reflect the character of Christ "fully" to be saved.  But, it is true we must overcome our defects of character to be saved. This does not mean that salvation is earned by having a character. No, that is backwards thinking. It is grace that saves, and the Spirit of God indwelling man is that which transforms the character. Thus, in the judgment it will be seen who is saved and who is not by their character. Sadly, Satan has deceived many into  believing if one will reflect the moral character of Christ when converted, then this is salvation by works.

We come into this world sinners in need of a Savior. We have nothing to commend ourselves to God. We cannot do any good thing until we are reconciled to God. And when we are converted, and filled with His Spirit, it is Christ not I that does any good thing. We have a continual need of Jesus. All of the honor, all of the glory goes to God when we live His life, when we teach His truth. All of the perfection seen in the character of Christians is because they have fully surrendered their will to His will. They love Him because He first love them. The teaching of holiness is a teaching that glorifies God and His power to transforms sinners into saints. That holiness is only in a person because he has submitted to the love of Jesus and keeps his body under lest he be a castaway. And, that power which enables the repentant sinner to do this is made possible by the divine nature received at conversion. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.

From another Review and Herald article.

Let the church become united in Christ Jesus in working for purity and perfection of character. There needs to be a practical daily sanctification of the spirit. Before one is prepared for Christ's coming there must be seen in the life the fruits of the Spirit. There must be a self-discipline, a wrestling with God for victory till the victory is gained. Then will ascend a shout of praise to God. 
     Unless those who are supposed to have in their possession large gifts maintain unwearied diligence, they will, because of self-confidence and self-righteousness, become careless and move unguardedly. Forgetting their need of continuing instant in prayer, they will lightly regard their moral responsibilities. Those who do not continually sanctify their souls through the grace that Christ is ever ready to supply, will be on losing ground.   
     The time has come when we must seek for the power of the Holy Spirit, a power that shall give force to the warnings that are to be given to the world. Souls are thirsting for the living waters of life, and to us the Lord has entrusted the sacred work of opening to them the Scriptures in clear, distinct, positive testimony. The words we speak are to be an evidence that the Holy Spirit is speaking through us as his messengers. God will speak to our souls as we labor for him. Angels of God will ever surround his humble, consecrated workman. 
     When the laborers for God consecrate their services unreservedly to their Master, and by drawing very near to him, learn how to draw near to the people, he will manifest his grace through them, and hearts will be softened and subdued under its influence. It is the privilege of the laborers so to represent the truth in their words and deportment, that their lives will be a power to convince unbelievers of the truths they are teaching. When the workers come into the place where God can work through them, they will understand the words of Christ, "I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."  RH, September 12, 1907.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--1st Quarter 2016--Comrades in Arms
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2016, 09:34:42 PM »
"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?" Luke 24:32

What was it that caused their hearts to burn? It was the truth. But, what in particular did they learn that created such an influence on Cleopas and his friend? Israel had been so deceived on who their Messiah was and what He would be that when they heard the truth, it amazed them in the same manner seeing the love of God in sending His innocent Son to die for us while we were yet sinners amazes us.

   Reasoning from prophecy, Christ gave His disciples a correct idea of what He was to be in humanity. Their expectation of a Messiah who was to take His throne and kingly power in accordance with the desires of men had been misleading. It would interfere with a correct apprehension of His descent from the highest to the lowest position that could be occupied. Christ desired that the ideas of His disciples might be pure and true in every specification. They must understand as far as possible in regard to the cup of suffering that had been apportioned to Him. He showed them that the awful conflict which they could not yet comprehend was the fulfillment of the covenant made before the foundation of the world was laid. Christ must die, as every transgressor of the law must die if he continues in sin. All this was to be, but it was not to end in defeat, but in glorious, eternal victory.


Let us as brothers and sisters in Christ take this wonderful message of the character of our God to the whole world. Many will yet be saved when they too learn of our God and His unfathomable love for sinners.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.